Skeleton

Overview

Skeletons arise when animated by dark magic. They heed the summons of spellcasters who call them from their stony tombs and ancient battlefields, or rise of their own accord in places saturated with death and loss, awakened by stirrings of necromantic energy or the presence of corrupting evil.

Animated Dead

Whatever sinister force awakens a skeleton infuses its bones with a dark vitality, adhering joint to joint and reassembling dismantled limbs. This energy motivates a skeleton to move and think in a rudimentary fashion, though only as a pale imitation of the way it behaved in life. An animated skeleton retains no connection to its past, although resurrecting a skeleton restores it body and soul, banishing the hateful undead spirit that empowers it.
While most skeletons are the animated remains of dead humans and other humanoids, skeletal undead can be created from the bones of other creatures besides humanoids, giving rise to a host of terrifying and unique forms.

Obedient Servants

Skeletons raised by spells are bound to the will of their creator. They follow orders to the letter, never questioning the tasks their masters give them, regardless of the consequences. Because of their literal interpretation of commands and unwavering obedience, skeletons adapt poorly to changing circumstances. They can’t read, speak, emote, or communicate in any way except to nod, shake their heads, or point. Still, skeletons are able to accomplish a variety of relatively complex tasks.
A skeleton can fight with weapons and wear armor, can load and fire a catapult, scale a siege ladder, form a shield wall, or dump boiling oil. However, it must receive careful instructions explaining how such tasks are accomplished.
Although they lack the intellect they possessed in life, skeletons aren’t mindless. Rather than break its limbs attempting to batter its way through an iron door, a skeleton tries the handle first. If that doesn’t work, it searches for another way through or around the obstacle.

Habitual Behaviors

Independent skeletons temporarily or permanently free of a master’s control sometimes pantomime actions from their past lives, their bones echoing the rote behaviors of their former living selves. The skeleton of a miner might lift a pickaxe and start chipping away at stone walls. The skeleton of a guard might strike up a post at a random doorway. Left alone in a ballroom, the skeletons of nobles might continue an eternally unfinished dance.
When skeletons encounter living creatures, the necromantic energy that drives them compels them to kill unless they are commanded by their masters to refrain from doing so. They attack without mercy and fight until destroyed, for skeletons possess little sense of self and even less sense of self-preservation.

Undead Nature

A skeleton doesn’t require air, food, drink, or sleep.

Skeleton CR: 1/4 (50 XP)

Medium undead, lawful evil

Armor Class: 13

Hit Points: 13 (2d8 + 4)

Speed: 30 ft

STR

10 +0

DEX

14 +2

CON

15 +2

INT

6 -2

WIS

8 -1

CHA

5 -3

Damage Vulnerabilities: Bludgeoning

Damage Immunities: Poison

Condition Immunities: Exhausted, Poisoned

Senses: Darkvision 60 feet, Passive Perception 9

Languages: Understands all languages it knew in life but can't speak

Challenge Rating: 1/4 (50 XP)

Actions

Shortsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 feet, one target. Hit: 1d6 + 2 piercing damage.
Shortbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, range 80/320 feet, one target. Hit: 1d6 + 2 piercing damage.

Minotaur Skeleton CR: 2 (450 XP)

Large undead, lawful evil

Armor Class: 12

Hit Points: 67 (9d10 + 18)

Speed: 40 ft

STR

18 +4

DEX

11 +0

CON

15 +2

INT

6 -2

WIS

8 -1

CHA

5 -3

Damage Vulnerabilities: Bludgeoning

Damage Immunities: Poison

Condition Immunities: Exhausted, Poisoned

Senses: Darkvision 60 feet, Passive Perception 9

Languages: Understands Abyssal but can't speak

Challenge Rating: 2 (450 XP)

Charge. If the skeleton moves at least 10 feet straight toward a target and then hits it with a gore attack on the same turn, the target takes an extra 2d8 piercing damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 14 Strength saving throw or be pushed up to 10 feet away and knocked prone.

Actions

Greataxe. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 feet, one target. Hit: 2d12 + 4 slashing damage.
Gore. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 feet, one target. Hit: 2d8 + 4 piercing damage.

Warhorse Skeleton CR: 1/2 (100 XP)

Large undead, lawful evil

Armor Class: 13

Hit Points: 22 (3d10 + 6)

Speed: 60 ft

STR

18 +4

DEX

12 +1

CON

15 +2

INT

2 -4

WIS

8 -1

CHA

5 -3

Damage Vulnerabilities: Bludgeoning

Damage Immunities: Poison

Condition Immunities: Exhausted, Poisoned

Senses: Darkvision 60 feet, Passive Perception 9

Languages: None

Challenge Rating: 1/2 (100 XP)

Actions

Hooves. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 feet, one target. Hit: 2d6 + 4 bludgeoning damage.

Lifespan

Immortal

Average Height

5 feet

Average Weight

40 pounds